Safety in Numbers
The Adverts Lyrics


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What are you going to do with your new ways?

What are you going to do with your new wave?

Maybe it's that you no longer care.

Now you're so great.
You've just got to stand there.

Or were you never even bothered anyway,

About the new wave.

What about the new wave?

Did you think it would change things?

Here we all are in the latest craze.

Stick with the crowd,

hope it's not a passing phase.

It's the latest thing to be nowhere.

You can turn into the wallpaper.

But you know you were always there anyway,

Without the new wave.

What about the new wave?

Did you think it would change things?

It's just safety in numbers,

When it's tricky, when it gets tough,

When you need to feel that you're good enough,

All you pretty people who've been taken over.

Had better start looking for your own answers.

'Cause there's no safety in numbers anyway,

Or in a new wave

What about the new wave?

Did you think it would change things?





It's just safety in numbers.

Overall Meaning

The Adverts's song Safety in Numbers is a satirical take on the new wave movement that was gaining momentum in the late 70s. The song questions the legitimacy of this cultural phenomenon and accuses its followers of blindly conforming to a trend without considering its impact. The first stanza addresses the question of what people who have adopted the new wave style are going to do with it. The lyrics suggest that the new wave movement is nothing more than a passing trend that people have embraced without any real commitment or understanding of its meaning.


The song goes on to criticize those who have joined the new wave movement for their lack of individuality and conformity. The chorus makes it clear that the safety people feel in numbers is illusory and that real safety can only be found by looking within and finding one's own answers. The song ends with a warning that being part of a movement without fully understanding it can be dangerous and that blindly following others can lead to one's own destruction.


Overall, Safety in Numbers is a powerful critique of the new wave movement that encourages people to think for themselves and not simply follow popular trends.


Line by Line Meaning

What are you going to do with your new ways?
What plans do you have to use the new trend to achieve something worthwhile?


What are you going to do with your new wave?
What are your intentions with this new wave of trends?


Maybe it's that you no longer care.
Perhaps you're indifferent or unconcerned about the new wave.


Now you're so great.
Success has made you overconfident.


You've just got to stand there.
All you need to do is be present and let the new wave carry you along.


Or were you never even bothered anyway,
Perhaps you were never interested or excited about the new wave.


About the new wave.
Reiterating the subject of discussion.


What about the new wave?
What impact do you think the new wave will have?


Did you think it would change things?
Did you expect the new wave to bring about significant change?


Here we all are in the latest craze.
Everyone is caught up in the current trend.


Stick with the crowd,
Follow the masses.


hope it's not a passing phase.
Wishful thinking that the trend will last.


It's the latest thing to be nowhere.
It's fashionable to be unremarkable, to blend in.


You can turn into the wallpaper.
You can become invisible, just another background element of social interaction.


But you know you were always there anyway,
You've existed as you are, even without riding the new wave.


Without the new wave.
Emphasizing that you don't need the new trend to thrive.


What about the new wave?
Continuing the discussion on the impact of the new trend.


Did you think it would change things?
Questioning the power of the new wave to bring about change.


It's just safety in numbers,
The new wave is only significant because many people follow it.


When it's tricky, when it gets tough,
During challenging times when you're unsure, and things seem daunting.


When you need to feel that you're good enough,
When you have to validate your worth and confirm your social standing.


All you pretty people who've been taken over.
Addressing the individuals who've blindly followed the trend.


Had better start looking for your own answers.
It's time to find your direction and stop relying on the safety of the masses.


Cause there's no safety in numbers anyway,
Highlighting that safety in a group is temporary and ultimately useless.


Or in a new wave
The new trend doesn't guarantee protection either.


What about the new wave?
Revisiting the significance of the new wave.


Did you think it would change things?
Closing the repetition and questioning the new wave's impact.


It's just safety in numbers.
Reiterating the primary theme of the song.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

brutalgrapes

such a great band

falica77

Great song. This 45 version sounds better than the LP version.

Mark Bennett

Classic Pop!

spocksleftball

Safety in number radio show in The 1970s GSU

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